Thread by @gallardo_ortega

The EU's response to the UK's unilateral plan on the #NIprotocol has been one of "disappointment rather than anger," @JamesCleverly told MPs. The government has followed "a policy of no surprises" in regards to the UK's negotiations with the EU, he said.

The government wants "to move quickly" with the legislation on the protocol. The earliest date to table the bill is the "first week back from recess," but ministers want to get it right, Cleverly adds.

The government's priorities are fixing disruption to East-West trade across the Irish Sea and the re-establishment of the power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland, the UK's Europe minister says.

A lot has been fixed already, especially on medicines supply to NI, Cleverly says in a bid to highlight the positive aspects of the talks with the EU. But the problem is "the level of reassurances" Brussels seeks about the integrity of the EU single market.

The tone of the EU's response to the UK's unilateral plan "could have been much, much worse," says Cleverly. Instead everybody is saying "let's keep talking," he adds.

"There's no incentive" for the UK "to be difficult" on the #NIprotocol, Cleverly says. "Even if you think we are a bunch of liars which by the way we are not ... look at where our best interests lie."
He stresses London's willingness to solve the protocol issues asap.

Daniel Hannan replies the status quo benefits the EU because it promotes trade diversion and creates more of an all-Ireland island economy.
He says the CJEU's jurisdiction in NI amounts to "part of our country being ruled by foreigners." Will the UK concede on this for a deal?

Cleverly replies the UK does not envisage a role for the CJEU "for what it is internal UK trade."
"That shouldn't be contentious. Northern Ireland is as much part of the UK as Cornwall, North Essex, Scotland."

Cleverly says UK believes the NI talks have reached an impasse despite @MarosSefcovic's efforts to look at the issues in creative ways and all his good faith. The problem is the constrains he's got to work within — ie he needs another mandate.